Here's the balanced chemical equation:
NH₄Cl (aq) + H₂O (l) ⇌ NH₃ (aq) + H₃O⁺ (aq) + Cl⁻ (aq)
Explanation:
* NH₄Cl (aq) represents ammonium chloride dissolved in water.
* H₂O (l) represents liquid water.
* NH₃ (aq) represents ammonia dissolved in water.
* H₃O⁺ (aq) represents hydronium ions dissolved in water.
* Cl⁻ (aq) represents chloride ions dissolved in water.
Important Note: The reaction is reversible (indicated by the double arrows ⇌), meaning that ammonia and hydronium ions can also react to form ammonium ions and water. This is why the solution will contain a mixture of all these ions in equilibrium.
The reaction is slightly acidic because the hydronium ions produced by the hydrolysis of ammonium chloride make the solution more acidic than pure water.
